As the haze cleared from my groggy head I became aware of the
environment around me; the buzzing machines, the fake flowers, the innocuous
little toys to remind people that although they don't actually live here, they
still live here on some level. I slowly came to realize that the world I had
ignored, passed off as some mythical land of dragons and evil, was as real as
you or I. This realization came to me as I sat at my desk, starting my routine
for the day. It didn't come as a shock, but as a revelation, a vision. This
vision struck terror into my heart. As the phone began to ring, a chill alerted
me to a presence that I have not felt for nigh on two years. That morning...
So long ago. It was a cold night, but I slumbered in the warmth and security
of my bed, safe in the knowledge that I was protected from the outside world.
Encapsulated in the soft folds of my quilt, sleeping peacefully, I had not a
concern in the world. It was then that It happened. The door flew open and I
was assaulted and forced to rise.

"Wake up!" she yelled, "Wake up now for my sake!"

Not being one to argue I rose and raced down to where the family
was congregated.

"You first," I heard. And as my hands fumbled with the shiny package
that Christmas morning, I had the same realization I had today: "No Virginia,
there is not really a Santa Claus, But there is a Nine in the morning."